How Apple Durability Tests New iPhones [Video]

Check out this inside look at Apple's durability labs where new iPhones undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet the company's high standards of durability and reliability before hitting the market.

In a recent Twitter thread, popular YouTuber Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, detailed the various testing methods employed by Apple to ensure their devices can withstand everyday wear and tear.

Water and Ingress Testing

Brownlee's first revelation was about the water testing process for iPhones to achieve their IP ratings. He shared a video demonstrating a room full of machines dedicated to this purpose. The testing levels include:

• IPX4: Simulating rain with a drip tray, applying no real pressure.
• IPX5: A sustained, low-pressure jet spray from any angle.
• IPX6: High-pressure spray from a firehose.
• IPX8: Locking the phone underwater with added pressure to simulate depth for an extended period.

I recently got to visit some Apple labs where they durability test new iPhones before they come out, and learned a few things (🧵THREAD)

#1: Have you actually seen how they water test phones for IP ratings? (video) pic.twitter.com/Qh3hfmlmdn

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) May 29, 2024

#2: There's an entire room of machines for water and ingress testing

Level 1: A drip tray simulating rain, no real pressure. IPX4

Level 2: A sustained, low-pressure jet spray from any angle. IPX5

Level 3: High pressure spray from a literal firehose. IPX6

Level 4: Locking the… pic.twitter.com/5R38I6QVmW

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) May 29, 2024

Drop Testing

Apple has invested in an industrial robot to conduct drop tests. This robot can simulate hundreds of different drop angles onto various materials. Ultra-bright lights and high-speed cameras capture these tests, allowing engineers to observe the titanium frame's reaction upon impact in slow motion.

#3: Apparently Apple has also bought and programmed and industrial robot to be their own drop test machine - to simulate hundreds of different drop angles onto different materials

Then they hit it with some ultra bright lights and a high speed camera to watch them back in… pic.twitter.com/EsNJbVQrbO

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) May 29, 2024

Frequency Exposure Testing

Brownlee also highlighted a unique testing method where devices are subjected to computer-controlled frequencies. This test simulates the vibrations a device might endure from a motorcycle engine or a subway car over time. Although difficult to capture on camera, this method ensures that iPhones can withstand sustained frequency exposure.

#4 Ok this one was hard to capture on camera - it's literally shaking everything at computer-controlled frequencies. They can program in the frequency of a certain motorcycle engine or subway car to simulate how well a device will hold up to sustained exposure to that frequency… pic.twitter.com/K981NzQhhk

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) May 29, 2024

Insights from Apple's Head of Hardware Engineering

Brownlee also interviewed John Ternus, Apple's Head of Hardware Engineering, about durability and repairability. Ternus said that iPhone is harder to repair due to the trade-offs necessary to maintain the device's structural integrity.

$5 - Talked to John Ternus - Head of Hardware Engineering at Apple, and it was interesting hearing straight from the top why the iPhone is harder to repair. Take a listen pic.twitter.com/O9QsQOx4SP

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) May 29, 2024

Evolving Repairability

Brownlee noted that Apple is gradually softening its stance on repairability. The company is moving slightly along the durability vs. repairability spectrum, making strides to improve the ease of repairing iPhones without compromising their durability.

#6 Thankfully Apple is still softening their stance on repair - basically sliding slightly on that durability vs repairability spectrum pic.twitter.com/OA3f4JeOQe

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) May 29, 2024

Real-World Testing

Connecting the dots between lab tests and real-world performance, Brownlee revealed that Apple tests over 10,000 pre-release phones before launching a new model. This extensive testing ensures that each device meets Apple's stringent quality standards.

#7: Connecting the durability test machines the real world: They may test 10,000+ pre-release phones while testing before the phone comes out pic.twitter.com/8JbhMXEPdY

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) May 29, 2024

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